A Solid Dyeing Experience

Left to right: Avocado, Soft Orange, Chartreuse, Clear Yellow

"Wow! I'm finally getting a grip on dyeing!"--
What I said to my family last night before dinner,
and before they all stared and laughed.

The assortment of fabric resulting from yesterday's dye session had me really excited. I finally found a reliable process to get solid colors! That is, a consistent color without the mottled effect that is so often indicative of hand dyed fabric. That may not sound like a big deal, but certainly is for me. It's one step further in controlling how and where I put color on fabric. 

Admittedly, most of what I've been doing has been playing around with whatever tickled my fancy. A devoted lover of pink, I had not yet dyed any fabric my favorite color.

Elmer's Blue Gel glue can be used as a resist on fabric. I'd read about it being ideal to use with children, and wanted to give it a try. I pinned out a piece of fabric that had previously been soaked in soda ash, and line dried. There's no secret to it. Just squeeze out the glue in whatever design you want, and let it dry. In this case, it was overnight until the glue was dry--something to consider if you were to use it with kids. It would take 2 sessions.

When the glue was dry, I dipped the fabric in the dye several times, and laid it flat sandwiched in a vinyl table cloth to cure.

The glue rinsed out about half way with hot water in the sink, but it took a hot washing machine cycle to get it entirely clean. I might have thought the doodling out better, but I think parts of it will make cute fussy cuts. 

*I really wanted you to see the tiny specks of fuchsia on the bubblegum pink. Those were undissolved bits of dye that remained in the solution, and bonded onto the fabric. I was so careful about stirring the dye this time, but I still had a few specks. Sigh.

Two batiked pieces done with soy wax turned out fun. I just played with the tjanting tool, and doodled randomly. The first had more of a summery feel to it, and the second reminded me more of Christmas. Both were done without much planning other than to use up some dye left over from several weeks before. The Procion MX Dyes lose their strength after a few days at room temperature, and are best kept in lidded containers in a refrigerator. I wanted to see how well this 2-3 week old dye would work.

Without another to compare it to, I cannot say how much the intensity has decreased. The color is still quite vibrant in both pieces so for my purpose I consider it viable. As long as the remaining dye has not been contaminated with soda ash, dye can be used for an extended time if only just to color paper. 

There was a small amount of both dyes left from the previous batiks so I combined them to dye this piece. I had a small chocolates box in a heart shape, and it made a fine little outline for soy wax batik. It leans a bit toward the orange side, but is still a fun print. 

Reading back through, I use the word fun repeatedly. Let me repeat, this is all fun. Creative play is good for the heart, good for the mind, and good for the soul. Make time in your week to include some creative play, and experience the joy!

Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew.

Linking up with~
Off the Wall Friday
Freemotion by the River
Design Wall Monday
Cooking Up Quilts
Show and Tell with Bambi